Blast resistant barrier and container

Abstract

A blast resistant container includes a rigid outer cylinder, a rigid inner cylinder and at least one pumice brick. The rigid inner cylinder has a longitudinal axis. The at least one pumice brick is within the interior of the rigid inner cylinder.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A blast resistant or redirecting container comprising:
 a rigid outer cylinder; 
 a rigid inner cylinder within the rigid outer cylinder and having a longitudinal axis; and 
 a plurality of pumice bricks within the interior of the rigid inner cylinder, 
 wherein:
 each of the pumice bricks comprises pumice that is compressed into a brick form having a solid structure; and 
 the plurality of pumice bricks includes a group of pumice bricks that are displaced around the longitudinal axis adjacent an inner wall of the rigid inner cylinder. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the group of pumice bricks includes a plurality of elongated pumice bricks each having a length extending along the longitudinal axis that is greater than its width. 
     
     
       3. The container according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the length of each elongated pumice brick is selected from the group consisting of greater than 6 inches, greater than 12 inches, greater than 2 feet, and less than 3 feet; 
 a width of each elongated pumice brick selected from the group consisting of greater than 0.5 inches, greater than 1 inch, greater than 2 inches, and greater than 3 inches; and 
 a thickness of each elongated pumice brick is selected from the group consisting of greater than 1 inch and greater than 2 inches. 
 
     
     
       4. The container according to  claim 2 , wherein each elongated pumice brick has a trapezoidal cross section. 
     
     
       5. The container according to  claim 2 , wherein each elongated pumice brick includes a longitudinal side that contacts a longitudinal side of an adjacent elongated pumice brick. 
     
     
       6. The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pumice bricks comprises at least one of a pumice brick cylinder and an annular pumice brick. 
     
     
       7. The container according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rigid inner cylinder is attached to a rigid base; and 
 the plurality of pumice bricks includes at least one base pumice brick covering the base within the interior of the inner rigid cylinder. 
 
     
     
       8. The container according to  claim 7 , further comprising a drain tube extending through the at least one base pumice brick and the rigid base. 
     
     
       9. The container according to  claim 7 , further comprising a crush panel over or under the at least one base pumice brick. 
     
     
       10. The container according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one base pumice brick comprises first and second base pumice bricks, and the crush panel is between the first and second base pumice bricks. 
     
     
       11. The container according to  claim 10 , further comprising a compressible material within a gap between the rigid outer cylinder and the rigid inner cylinder, wherein the compressible material includes at least one of powdered or granular pumice, a pumice brick, perlite, and rubber. 
     
     
       12. The container according to  claim 9 , further comprising a steel cable reinforced belt wrapped around the inner rigid cylinder. 
     
     
       13. The container according to  claim 12 , further comprising a corrugated cylinder surrounding at least a portion of the rigid inner cylinder. 
     
     
       14. The container of  claim 1 , wherein each pumice brick in the group of pumice bricks contacts an adjacent pumice brick within the group. 
     
     
       15. A blast resistant barrier comprising:
 a rigid inner layer; 
 a rigid outer layer; and 
 at least one pumice brick layer formed of pumice that is compressed into a brick form having a solid structure, 
 wherein:
 the rigid inner layer and the rigid outer layer include opposing interior surfaces; and 
 the at least one pumice brick layer includes at least one pumice brick layer selected from the group consisting of a pumice brick layer between the interior surfaces of the rigid inner and outer layers, a pumice brick layer adjacent an outer surface of the rigid inner layer that is opposite the inner surface of the rigid inner layer, and a pumice brick layer adjacent an outer surface of the rigid outer layer that is opposite the inner surface of the rigid outer layer. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The barrier according to  claim 15 , wherein the pumice brick layer comprises a plurality of elongate pumice bricks. 
     
     
       17. The barrier according to  claim 15 , further comprising at least one steel cable reinforced belt adjacent at least one of the rigid inner layer and the rigid outer layer, or between the rigid inner and outer layers. 
     
     
       18. The barrier according to  claim 17 , further comprising at least one layer of corrugated material adjacent at least one of the rigid inner layer and the rigid outer layer, or between the rigid inner and outer layers. 
     
     
       19. The barrier according  claim 18 , wherein the rigid inner and outer layers are formed of steel.